I Slipped and Fell at Work

I Slipped and Fell at Work, Now What?

A slip and fall is the most common workplace accident. Slip and falls lead to 8 million emergency room visits yearly. Unfortunately, something that sounds so simple can have major ramifications for those who are injured, including broken bones, knee injuries, and spinal injuries.

In addition to the pain suffered from a slip and fall accident, there’s also the financial pain—the medical bills and the days of missed work. So how should you deal with a slip and fall accident?

Dealing With a Slip and Fall at Work

It is important to differentiate between slip and falls that occur while you are on the job and those that may occur in your leisure on someone else’s property. Slip and fall accidents that occur at work may be covered under worker’s compensation, whereas other slip and falls are not.

If you slip and fall while at work, it is important to report the incident to your supervisor immediately. You may be tasked with filling out paperwork and giving a detailed account of your accident or your supervisor may be required to do it. In addition, your employer should offer you the opportunity to seek medical care.

If you choose to seek medical advice directly after your accident, your supervisor will direct you to a specific location that works with their worker’s compensation insurance. This information is generally posted in a shared space at most jobs, like a break room or common bulletin board.

If you choose to seek medical care after the fact because an injury became apparent at a later time, it is important to seek care from the provider listed on your company’s worker’s compensation insurance. In addition, you should inform your employer that you needed medical advice. Your employer may need to fax information to the health care provider, so make sure they are in the loop.

While some injuries from a slip and fall, like cuts and bruises, will not force you to miss work or accrue medical bills, others, like torn knee ligaments or broken bones, may be costly. If for some reason your employer is not covering your care or if the care you need exceeds the amount your employer is willing to cover, it may be helpful to speak with a Tampa slip and fall attorney to help you understand your options.

Proving a Slip and Fall Case Against an Employer

If you decide to file a claim against your employer after consulting with a Tampa personal injury lawyer, you will need to prove that your employer was liable for your accident.

Your Tampa slip and fall attorney will research whether your employer was negligent by checking to see if your accident was avoidable. If your accident was caused because of a known condition that your employer failed to fix or if there is a reasonable expectation that your employer should have known that a condition existed, they may be liable.

In addition to proving liability and negligence, your attorney will also discuss your injuries and how they have affected your life. For example, mounting medical bills, the need for future medical assistance, increased pain and suffering, and lost work due to your accident will all be discussed in order to determine whether compensation is necessary.

Before moving forward with a claim, your Tampa personal injury lawyer will help you determine how all of these factors can be illustrated to a judge or jury in a court of law.

Do I Need to Consult With a Tampa Personal Injury Lawyer?

A knowledgeable Tampa slip and fall lawyer knows all the different aspects of personal injury law can help you be certain that you are properly compensated for your injuries so you don’t have to worry about more medical bills or your inability to work.

Sometimes, having an advocate on your side—especially a skilled Tampa personal injury lawyer—can make the battle for your rights easier.